Dan Gore pressed aggressively and won the ball on the edge of Rochdale’s box. He slid the ball into the box, but the chance was wasted and those in blue shirts thwarted the danger.
Travis Binnion turned around to his coaching staff on the sideline and shook his head before applauding the effort from Gore, whose hard work had come to nothing.
Gore wore the captain’s armband for Manchester United Under-21s on Tuesday against Rochdale and made his second academy appearance after recovering from a minor injury.
He missed the start of the campaign due to a freak shoulder issue but picked up a separate problem after his comeback, meaning his season feels like it’s only starting in December.
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The season has been stop-start for Gore, and that’s a shame considering his talent. His injuries have simply been unfortunate, and he will be questioning his next steps, especially when he turns on his television on Wednesday night to watch his fellow academy graduate Alejandro Garnacho.
Kobbie Mainoo will not be in the squad to face Arsenal due to a suspension, but Mainoo and Garnacho are first-team regulars, and Gore starred alongside that pair for the Under-18s.
Gore and Mainoo developed a special partnership when they played together and were crucial when the U18s won the FA Youth Cup in 2022. Garnacho scored the goals in that talented side and was the poster boy of the team, but Gore and Mainoo made the team tick from midfield.
Erik ten Hag gave Gore his senior debut in September 2023, and he signed for Port Vale on loan last January, but he has stalled a tad while his peers have progressed for the first-team.
There’s been a lot of bad luck involved – Gore enjoyed years without picking up any injuries – but the youngster might have to take his future into his own hands when January arrives.
Gore has outgrown U21 football and needs to leave on loan. He excels against football league opposition that fields senior sides, and that is an indicator he’s ready to fly the nest.
Organising a loan for Gore should be a priority for academy chiefs because he remains a high-potential player and still could provide value for the first-team. The other possibility is Gore thrives on loan, enhances his value, and leaves on a permanent transfer in the summer to further his career.
Gore attempted to make United tick from his deep midfield position against Rochdale, but the first half was low on quality, and Ethan Ennis fluffed the biggest chance on the stroke of half-time.
It was goalless at the break, and it felt inevitable changes would be made sooner rather than later when play resumed. The exciting Chido Obi-Martin, who signed from Arsenal in the summer, was sent to warm-up and was finally introduced with 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
It was someone already on the pitch who would provide the winner, though. Amir Ibragimov is another 16-year-old who is incredibly well regarded in the academy, and he produced the first true moment of quality of the game just seconds after Obi-Martin replaced Ethan Wheatley.
Ibragimov was on the scoresheet just a few weeks ago against Altrincham in the same competition – he worked his socks off that night – and celebrated his goal with gusto by the corner flag.
It often takes just a moment in academy fixtures to decide a game, and Ibragimov delivered. He will continue to develop with the U21s this season and has a bright future ahead of him.
Gore has already been on that journey and needs to leave on loan to keep taking steps forward.
